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Thursday, June 18

June Garden Update-Portland, OR

View of some of the community beds

On my mind right now

Heat

The weather here in the Pacific Northwest has been very warm this year. With long stretches of 80's and 90's degree days. It feels like August here instead of June. It has had an effect on the garden. The spring producing vegetables like peas are confused and are dying off . As a result, I have been harvesting vegetables sooner. Caroline told me that her peas in Maine are a few inches while mine are ready to die off. It feels like we are a whole season apart.

Slugs

They are everywhere! So far I have not resorted to using the slug pellets that most gardeners use here. I have tried egg shells, which seemed to work somewhat. Lately I have also been cutting down bramble berry branches in my battle with the slugs. I strip off the leaves to expose the thorns and use the branches to line the raised bed. It seems to be working and brambleberry is an invasive plant that can be found everywhere here. I think you could also use rose branches.

Epsom Salts

I have been hearing about using epsom salts in the garden as a fertilizer for a while. This season I decided to try it, and so far I am excited about the results. I sprinkled some on the surface of a few of my beds and was amazed that my plants perked up in one day. I also diluted some with water in a spray bottle to use on the plants. Here is some information on how to use it.

Community Bed Tomatoes

My bed of Onions, Potatoes and Peas

The Peas have started to pod finally

Mini beds of Strawberry, Lettuce, Onions and Beans in the area at the back of my home

Welcome

We're Michele and Caroline. Michele gardens in Portland, Oregon and Caroline in coastal Southern Maine. We are growing the same heirloom produce, on two coasts, in our respective gardens. To read more about each of us and our individual locations, check out the tabs above.

Get an inside peek into our lives . From time to time we post our personal notes to each other, as well as our responses to our notes.

Lan Su is the official name of the beautiful Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. Located right in the city in the "Old Town" neig...

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